Maricha could not dissuade Ravana with his depiction of the relationship between Rama and Sita. So he changes tact by trying to instill a sense of fear in Ravana. He argues with his king by telling him that Rama guards his wife like the ritual fire and explains what would happen if Ravana tries to steal her from Rama. Maricha says that he tried to steal the literal ritual fire of Vishwamitra which Rama was guarding and asked his king to see what had happened to him. How dare would Ravana be to steal Rama’s wife from him?
Maricha asks Ravana how he could even think of snatching away Sita which was like trying to deceive Surya – the sun God to steal his light from him. He asks Ravana not to harbor any thoughts of even laying his sights on Sita which could immediately bring upon Rama’s wrath upon Ravana. He even goes on to tell Ravana that if the ten-faced king had any issues with the prince of Ayodhya, he should fight the prince face-to-face like a man and die on the battlefield a hero. He is sure that the king of Lanka would die in the battle no matter what the reasons for the battle are!
But Maricha is not able to persuade his king to give up his mad idea, for it is implanted so deep in him by his sister Surpanakha. He rejects all advice like a man with a death wish rejecting medicaments. According to Ravana, Rama is an iniquitous and an imprudent prince who has forfeited his kingdom, friends, family, relatives and even his mother. His logic is that such a person’s wife cannot be what she is portrayed to be and her relationship with her husband cannot be as strong as depicted from the outside. So he has decided on his next course of action and came to Maricha not to ask him for his suggestions but expecting him to help his king. Ravana is ready to kill Maricha if he does not accede to his plans and makes his stance known. Maricha understands that death is waiting for him either which road he chooses. He knows what Rama’s arrows could do and also knows that Ravana is the victim of lust and all his good advises will never prevail over his king.
So he makes the decision and agrees to Ravana’s plan. Why Maricha agrees to be part of the deceit is a million dollar question that people ask even today. The answer is obvious.
He fully understands the ramifications of his decision. Although it is sure death waiting for him, he knows that it is better to die in the hands of Rama-the Supreme Being than to die by Ravana-a lowly Rakshasa. By his death, he proves who Rama really is!
mythological squirrel 